Why does death scare us

Death anxiety: The fear that drives us? Written by Maria Cohut, Ph. Share on Pinterest Death is often a taboo subject, so when death anxiety comes into play, it is hard to know how to face it. Thanatophobia: Natural or trauma-driven? Death anxiety as a disorder. Who is afraid of death? Share on Pinterest Women are more likely than men to experience death anxiety, and this tends to peak twice: once in their 20s and again in their 50s. CBT for death anxiety.

Share on Pinterest Willing exposure to places and things associated with fear of death could help to counteract unhelpful mental habits. Fighting death anxiety from home. Share on Pinterest Identifying your specific death-related fears could help you to tackle them pragmatically. Face it or evade it? Latest news Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?

Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Related Coverage. Arianna Huffington. The hunger for meaning and purpose is nothing less than the human homing instinct -- the Fourth Inst Do we all have a relationship with God? Lisa Oz. Regardless of how you envision God, I believe this is your most important relationship. So what started as natural, healthy thoughts about death can easily lead us into a negative cycle of anxiety.

This means that it is often linked to these kinds of mental health issues — Generalised Anxiety Disorder GAD in particular, which is characterised by frequent and uncontrollable worrying. Fears around death become problematic when they arise daily and are very persistent for a period of 6 months of more. Therapy provides a safe space to share your fears and learn healthier ways of coping with difficult thoughts and feelings about death when they arise.

I mean, where am I going to go to get away from it? Death is a normal, natural part of life. Denying reality is only going to cause us more suffering in the long run.

When we find acceptance with our own impermanence, we realise that all we ever truly have is the present moment. Instead of being afraid of death, we can turn our focus to embracing life, living each moment in a way that counts. Lisa Iverach, a research fellow at the University of Sydney, explained that the study highlights how the participants may have been less negative because the mystery around death was removed.

They also have a very good idea about how they are going to die, which may bring some sense of peace or acceptance. Using blogs and poetry may reveal only the outward-facing emotions people are willing to share, or even simply created to fashion how they want to be remembered.

Do people really tell the truth in their blogs? It is impossible to tell, but blogs are clearly not the most intimate mode of communication. It may have better to use diaries, recorded conversations with loved ones, or even personal letters. Nathan Heflick, researcher and lecturer at the University of Lincoln, also warns against interpreting the results to mean that dying people view death as a wholly positive experience.